What I Wish I Knew During My First Semester.

I learned way more during my first semester in college than I ever expected to. And I'm not just talking about learning inside actual classrooms, but in residence life, making new friends, and about myself in general. Although I wouldn't take a single lesson I learned last semester back, here's what I wish I knew before moving across the country.

• People back home change. A lot. Coming home for winter break was one of the most interesting experiences from the last four months. Although it really doesn't apply to my "first semester," since it's already past, I think this is one of the most important realizations I've made. My friends, even I've had my whole life, have changed drastically since I've been gone; my family, too, even if they don't realize it.

• Cut the negative, ASAP. Like any first-semester college student, I endured my fair share of lovely drama. I won't get into the specifics, because it's in the past, but I wish I'd known to cut the negative people and situations out of my college experience as soon as they appeared. It would have saved me a ridiculous amount of time and energy. Oh well, at least I know now! Better late than never, right? 

• Fun can come first sometimes. I spent a ridiculous amount of time in my own room last semester. I really did mean to get out and do things. But in the end, I let go of a lot of potentially great, fun opportunities in exchange for an extra hour of studying. I wish I knew that a lot of those adventures only come ones. 

• Taking time to be alone is a fantastic thing. Moving to college brought on the very first time that I would have to share a room with someone else. It also called for a ton of hours spent with the ridiculously amazing people on my hall and in my building in general. Even though I loved every minute, I wish I knew that it was ok to spend more time with just myself. As an introvert personality, I need those opportunities to recharge and destress. Next semester, I'm going to work on finding some places to just chill alone every now and then. 

I'm sure that if I spent a few hours reflecting on fall semester, I could come up with a full book of things I wish I knew... But let's face it, that's too long. All in all, I learned a lot and I know I'll be gaining even more knowledge in the semesters to come. Bring on spring semester, I'm actually ready now. 

Keep not settling, 

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